BWW Reviews: Theresa Rebeck's THE SCENE Springs to Life at the Dorset (VT) Theatre Festival

THE SCENE springs to life again at the Dorset VT Theatre Festival.

Just a few hours from either New York or Boston, the Dorset Theatre Festival (DTF) has been around for 38 years, and continues to do impressive work. Playwright Theresa Rebeck spends her summers in the town.

Now on stage at DTF is her 2006 play THE SCENE, a dazzling and often fierce piece of theatre. Nobody has summarized it better than Rebeck herself: "A young social climber leads an actor into an extra-marital affair, from which he then creates a full-on downward spiral into alcoholism and bummery. His wife runs off with his best friend, his girlfriend leaves, and he's left with ... nothing."

Rebeck has close ties to the festival, so it's no surprise that she's made a few tweaks to this production, including restoring the original ending which had been changed in response to carping by the critics. It's a shocker and I won't spoil the surprise here.

The marvelous cast is led by Tim Daly, and the whole production is deftly directed by Adrienne Campbell Holt. THE SCENE twists when you think it is about to turn, its plots and plans backfire when they should move forward as Rebeck's immensely entertaining and unlikely story unfolds. It is a crafty, nifty little play that sets up expectations in the first few minutes that are totally reversed by the time the play ends. THE SCENE showcases its actors, and gives them a chance to truly take flight with characters that could be out of some colorful novel.

Ms. Rebeck was in attendance at the performance I saw and hosted a talkback following in which she revealed the not-always-easy road that plays and play endings have. She talked about her works, and how too often the overbearing producers and critics think some of what she creates is too...too...original, I guess. People should trust what a playwright, director and cast come up with rather than outside observers, especially the nervous nellies with money. They always want to play it safe which does not make for good theatre. In the end, all we can do is to let others know if it worked for us personally.

Tim Daly who is no stranger to these parts (Williamstown Theatre Festival, Berkshire Theatre Group) delivers a soul scorching performance as the out of work Charlie who is married to and supported by Stella (Mary Bacon) who is a powerful TV producer and runs a tight ship. We see how relaxed and comfortable their married life is.

Their longtime best friend Lewis (Geoffrey Arend) is always around, living his own life, but he spends a lot of time with the couple. The dynamic between the three is comfortable, if a bit bland, so enter Ms. Rebeck's most stunning creation ever, Clea (Carolyn Holding) who adds the spicy notes, heating everything up.

Clea is an incredible invention, far more than an eye popping, attractive woman. For men she is kryptonite. A tall slender woman in very high heels and short skirt, her visual assets are matched, even surpassed by a verbal torrent that is as fascinating as it is intellectually incoherent. She is on the prowl for anything and anyone who can give her a boost up the ladder in the competitive New York social scene.

And before you can slip a word in edgewise, she is in Lewis' apartment courting him, just as Charlie arrives, thwarting that plan. By the end of the first act she has seduced Charlie, the married guy, and has reset his life on a path to self-destruction. Of course, it is equally true that Charlie, for all his self-confident bravado, is every bit as much a climber as she is, a hustler whose wife catches them in the act, and soon cuts off his credit cards and cellphone when he declares his independence and takes off with Clea.

Watching the role reversals, the rise of one character and the fall of another is the sort of fable that theatre tells ever so well. I could not believe this amazing production was in a unpretentious country theatre instead of the vaunted Roundabout or Manhattan Theatre Club. Everything about the production is extraordinary and polished and all four actors perform in perfect harmony with each other.

Now for those who have heard that there is a little semi-nudity, let me tell you that it is tastefully done, as it tends to be in New England.

The impulse to have sex seemed to be a mutual decision. You might say that given the opportunity, when Carolyn Holding (Clea) or Tim Daly (Charlie) are on stage fireworks are bound to go off.

Of course they are caught in the act by Stella, thereby ushering in the most unexpected scene in the play. Tim Daly's flustered and speechless reaction enables him to display a range of acting that is impressive. His body, his posture, and his voice change as the play goes forward. Going head to head with the dazzling surprises dished up by Holding as Clea, his character finds it difficult to compete with her ever increasing power and confidence. There is not much Mary Bacon can do to shine except be the solid, loyal wife, now shunned. As best pal Lewis, Geoffrey Arend has some great moments as he courts Clea early on. And they end up consoling each other as a long glowing ember is reignited.

In the end THE SCENE illustrates the self-deception involved in striving through social climbing and networking, even though it is an essential part of life for self-obsessed New Yorkers. Falling into the social rat race, they pursue their own agendas and careers at any cost, often giving up basic decency, loyalty and morality in the quest for fame and fortune.

Perhaps no writer is more familiar with the game of Broadway television and Hollywood roulette than Ms. Rebeck who has too often been a lightning rod for controversy when her characters break the mold. I for one am thrilled when she does this, for she has a knack for creating some of the most interesting - and believable - characters ever seen on the stage, screen or tube. THE SCENE is a testament to that genius.

It is worth mentioning that Dorset has been her summer home for some time, she even runs an art colony there for other writers, and with the Dorset Theatre Festival and its Artistic Director Dina Janis, there is a natural venue to boot.

DTF is becoming more familiar to those in Western Massachusetts since the organization is co-producing Clybourne Park. After its August 15-31 run in Dorset, it will travel to Barrington Stage in Pittsfield.

It would be nice to see the two organizations collaborate on the next new play by Ms. Rebeck as well and for all I know, she has probably already thought about that. A lot.

Dorset (VT) Theatre Festival presents The Scene by Theresa Rebeck, Directed by Adrienne Cambell-Holt, Scenery-John McDermott; Costumes-Kaye Voyce; Lighting-MichaelGiannetti; Sound-M.L.Dogg; Production Stage Manager-Melissa Daroff. Cast: Clea - Carolyn Holding, Lewis - Geoffrey Arend, Charlie - Tim Daly, Stella - Mary Bacon. June 19-July 7, 2013. Two hours five minutes with one ten minute intermission. Dorset Playhouse 104 Cheney Rd Dorset, VT 05251
(802) 867-2223. dorsettheatrefestival.org

Photo: The cast of THE SCENE, courtesy of the Dorset Theatre Festival.

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